Developing a prototype for implementing robotic technologies in building construction

Abstract

The increased requirements for building construction projects' performance warrant a paradigm shift in the construction sector to rethink the way buildings can be designed and constructed. Innovative methods such as using robotic technologies in construction have been on the horizon to offer solutions to meet the rising demands of building more affordable housing and infrastructure utilities, as well as to address the skills shortages and health and safety issues that have taken a toll on the sector. In New Zealand, there is a lack of awareness and uptake of robotic technologies in the construction sector, primarily due to a number of factors such as perceived high cost of research and development (R&D), insufficient knowledge about how such technologies can be applied, and the industry’s social inertia that resists change. An understanding of what types of construction activities robots or robotic technologies can perform is missing. To fill in this gap, by using a quantitative method combined with a systems engineering approach, this research aims to develop a prototype for the New Zealand construction sector to implement robotic technologies for on-site building construction. The prototype developed from this research builds a foundation for future analytical research to understand the interoperability and compatibility of individual technologies and systems used for on-site construction activities. It is hoped that the findings from this research and the prototype will provide construction companies in New Zealand with guidelines and directions to set up their own operational robotic system to achieve productivity gains. An understanding of the current challenges the New Zealand construction sector is facing, the activities where robotics technologies can be applied, and the conditions needed for a functional robotic system, as presented in this research, will help practitioners in the construction and building sector to better prepare themselves through training and upskilling in response to any disruptions caused by new technologies.